Over grensen* (Across the border)

Over grensen - Myten om Jan Baalsruds flukt* (Across the Border – The Myth about Jan Baalsrud's escape) was made in collaboration between Ferske Scener and The Arctic Theatre.

The story about Jan Baalsrud's escape has become mythical, much due to David Howarth's book We die alone (In Norwegian: Ni Liv), which was filmed by Arne Skouen in 1958. It is about good vs. evil, and about managing against all odds. In post-war Norway the story became a useful image of Norway's battle against German occupation. An image of Norway based on unfading heroes and a solidaric people willing to make sacrifices. The myth about Jan Baalsrud's escape has had the ability to survive and is still very much alive in people's consciousness, not least in Northern Norway.

With Over grensen - Myten om Jan Baalsruds flukt Ferske Scener wanted the audience to revisit the story they think they know so well. Ferske Scener wanted them to see the difference between truth and myth. Such myths get lives of their own, and as one eventually "knows" so well what they are about, one makes the facts fit the myth rather than the other way around. Symbolic stories such as the story about Baalsrud's escape are important to mobilise to battle a common enemy, and in war they are indispensable. But the story kept having an important function throughout the 1950es and 60es: This and similar war stories renewed their content due to the cold war. It was important to maintain an image of a brave and battle-willing Norway able to stand up against a threatening stronger power.

National myths such as these provide emotional content to the term "good Norwegians". We were the good to fight the evil. This image still has significance in the Norwegians self-imagery. But after several decades the aim should be to create tolerance and understanding, not to mobilise to battle. Now other stories are needed.

Ferske Scener''s aim with Over grensen - Myten om Jan Baalsruds flukt was to nuance, to show colours and nuances where the myth presents an image in black and white.

SOURCES:

Ferske Scener, ferskescener.no, 15.11.2010, http://www.ferskescener.no/medvirkende_i_jan_baalsrud_og_hans_reddningsmenn/cms/137

Ferske Scener's archive, donated by Ferske Scener, 05.05.2009

The Arctic Theatre, halogalandteater.no, 03.08.2017, http://halogalandteater.no/produksjon/2007/ferske-scener-over-grensen

*Not yet translated into the English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Nordlys, March 31 2008, page 44:

"Removes the hero halo, hails the helpers"

Bladet Tromsø, March 31 2008, page 16:

"Things are not black and white, not even in war"

TromsBy, Published Wednesday April 2 2008:

"The performance is good just because it does not fall into the trap of romanticising Baalsrud. A spade is a spade. A war is a war and the cold is hellish cold when you can't hide inside."